Since the PtMS database is written in Microsoft SQL Server and uses a standard Windows ODBC DSN database connection, it is possible to use other Microsoft products such as Access or Excel to write user custom reports. However, PtMS includes a copy of the Stonefield Query Report Writer for developing your own custom reports.

Stonefield Query Report Writer for Custom Reporting

Stonefield Query is an award winning reporting tool (http://www.stonefieldquery.com/Overview/Awards.aspx) for Windows databases such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, DB2, Sybase, Pervasive, Access, FoxPro, and Progress just to name a few.

Stonefield Query has all of the built-in Features you expect in an enterprise reporting solution including a Report Scheduler, Report Templates, Exclusion/Inclusion Filters, Emailed Reports, Customizable SQL Select, Advanced Report Designer and Multiple Output Options (PDF, HTML, XML, XPS, ExcelŽ, CSV, WordŽ RTF, DBF).

What differentiates Stonefield Query from all other reporting solutions is that it has been designed to allow nearly any level of end-user ability to create their own reports and queries. Most reporting tools require advanced technical knowledge that most users do not have. A Stonefield Query user only has to know what they want, not how to get it.

Stonefield Query Reporting Features

Stonefield Query has hundreds of features, too many to list here. The most commonly inquired about features are documented below.

Powerful query and reporting tool designed with the end-user in mind. Design reports in minutes, not hours or days.

Simple "Wizard" Interface: After selecting a report from the list of available reports, you can select the sort order, enter filter conditions, and specify where the output goes (printer, text file, spreadsheet, screen preview, email, etc.).

User-Friendly Names: Full English descriptions for all fields and tables rather than cryptic names and symbols. English operators such as "equals" and "greater than" instead of "=" and ">."

"Real" Table/Field Names: Alternatively you can display "real" table and field names so it's easier to locate the table or field you want if you're familiar with these names.

Knows Your Data: You don't have to know how your data is stored or how tables are joined (you don't even have to know what a "join" is). Stonefield Query handles complex join conditions between tables automatically.

Report Types: Quick Reports (row and column layout), Cross-Tabulation Reports (like pivot tables, for analysis), Charts/Graphs (pie, bar, etc.), Labels (mailing, barcode, etc) and External Reports (Foxpro or Crystal Reports).

Label Wizard: Easily create labels, including mailing labels, product labels, or barcode labels, without worrying about field positioning or label dimensions. All the common Avery label sizes are built-in.

Field Customization: Control font, color, alignment, heading, and column width for each field with a mouse click. You can even let Stonefield Query automatically adjust a field’s column width to match the widest amount of data in the column.

Data Grouping and Sorting: Group and sort on any field with a mouse click.

Report Preview: See what the report will look like at each step of the report building process. There's no need to save and exit before viewing.

Output Options: Stonefield Query supports output to comma-delimited (.csv), Image Formats (.bmp, .gif, .jpeg, .png, .tiff), Microsoft ExcelŽ (.xls), Microsoft WordŽ (.doc), Open Office (Calc & Writer), PDF, Rich Text Format (.rtf), Table Format (.dbf), Text (.txt), Web Page (.htm), XML, and XPS (.xps).

Email Reports: Use a SMTP or MAPI email client to quickly email reports through Stonefield Query (in any file format listed above).

Formula Editor: You can define your own custom calculations to use in any report.

Live Links: This allows you to create reports that drill down to other reports (for example, clicking on a customer name to show the sales for that customer) or automatically bring up someone's email address in your email program or Web site in your browser.

Report Templates: Give your reports a common appearance, such as following corporate style guidelines. Choose from one of the supplied templates or use the Template Editor to build your own.
Report Scheduler: Automate reports that need to go out on a regular basis.

Role-based Security: Control access to a single report, group of reports, and/or specific modules by assigning users to groups. This allows you to restrict access to sensitive data.

Share Reports: Import reports so you can use report layouts designed by other users or consultants. Export reports so you can share report layouts with other users.

Advanced Report Designer: Customize the report layout beyond the report wizard settings using the Advanced Report Designer for complete report control.

Exclusion Filters: this allows you to query on the absence of data, such as "give me a list of customers I didn't contact last year" or "give me a list of everyone who did not buy product X". Behind the scenes, Stonefield Query generates a NOT IN subquery, but from the end-user's perspective, it's just as easy as creating a normal filter.

Customize SQL Select: Stonefield Query automatically generates an SQL Select statement for the report once fields have been selected. Advanced users can customize the statement if desired.

Detailed Help File: Read through our detailed online help or our 410+ page PDF reference manual. Topics include Tutorials, Using Stonefield Query, Menu Functions, How To, and Frequently Asked Questions.